Beverly Kay Nelson Bailey

1940 – 2024

Beverly Kay Nelson Bailey passed away peacefully on October 24, 2024, in Pasco, Washington, following an extended illness.

Kay was the first child of Norma Kinghorn and Charles Albert Nelson, born in Archer, Idaho, June 15, 1940. Her first years were spent in Salt Lake City, Utah, where her father was training to be a carpenter. Shortly after, they moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where sister Charlotte Anne and brothers Charles Craig and Kim Alexander completed the family.

Kay loved school and attended Roosevelt Grade School, Franklin Junior High, and Pocatello High School. She was a good student, had a keen mind, good friends, and a close extended family. She was a lifetime avid reader and loved to sew, dance, and sing. She was part of a select vocal quartet and loved the opportunities they had to perform. The quartet remained close and two of the girls later became her sisters-in-law.

In 1956, Kay married her high school sweetheart Derrel Edward Bailey. They married in Pocatello, Idaho, and began their family. They moved from Idaho to California, where Derrel was stationed in the US Navy. They returned to Idaho and then moved to Snoqualmie, Washington. They added a child with every major move. Melodie in Pocatello, Kurt in Long Beach, California, Tracey in Pocatello, and Amy in Snoqualmie, Washington. Now, as a family of six, they moved to Bellevue, Washington, the place the Bailey kids considered "home".

After retiring in 2002, Kay and Derrel built their dream home and moved to Pasco, Washington. There they enjoyed each other, better weather, and found wonderful new friends and neighbors. Kay was a good mother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend. She was an excellent cook, seamstress, musician, teacher, cake decorator, barber, home canner, and she made the most beautiful gingerbread houses in the world. For many years she participated in a book club and enjoyed it immensely.

Kay was a role model and mentor to many. She volunteered in her children's classrooms and baked the best bread to share with family and neighbors. Kay loved her kids and their friends, and she loved animals, teaching us all to nurture whatever furry or feathered creature came to our house. Kay put in long days and often enjoyed playing Solitaire (with real cards) after the kids were in bed.

Kay was beautiful, witty, and talented! She was an excellent writer specializing in poetry and what she called "ditties". She wrote hundreds of these ditties for special occasions and special people. Kay was a master of words. She could conquer any crossword puzzle, and nobody could beat her in Scrabble.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kay served in many capacities. Her good example and energy inspired people to do their best. She wrote and directed roadshows and musicals; she taught Cub Scouts, first aid, and preparedness classes; she instructed adults and youth in Sunday School, Relief Society, and Mutual. She was quick to lend a hand whenever needed and especially enjoyed her callings as Primary Chorister and Seminary Teacher.

Mom loved Dad, her kids, her siblings, her friends, her country, her faith, and especially her grandchildren, the "Grands"; Alex Christiansen, Parker Christiansen (Rachel), Andrea Jensen, Paul Jensen (Robyn), Amanda Watson (Ben), Angela Jensen (Keelan), Andrew Bailey, Anne Bailey, Nathen Bailey (Abbey), and Shannon Bailey. She was delighted with the birth of each of the "Greats"; Archer Galasso Christiansen, Dominic Jensen, Connor Waterbury, Kayoko and Kenji Jensen (grandchildren of Melodie and Paul), Erin and Lucy Jensen, (grandchildren of Kurt and Helen), Teagan, Joshua Jr., Nye-Leiya Parraga, and Riley Ruth Bailey (grandchildren of Tracey and Laura).

Grandma and Grandpa Bailey cherished their posterity and loved all the sports, activities, recitals, and performances of each grandchild, and attended as many events as they could. At Grandma's you could count on delicious family dinners, lots of laughter, story time, singing, secrets, surprises, special treats, board games, puzzles, and good strong hugs.

Kay is survived by her children: Melodie Kay Christiansen (Paul Jensen), Derrel Kurt Bailey (Helen), Laura Brown Bailey, Amy Elizabeth Bailey, and Neal Robert Christiansen, sister Charlotte Anne Leptich (Ron), Charles Craig Nelson, Kim Alexander Nelson (Tanya), sisters-in-law Lois Ann Nelson, and Deonne Bailey Grappendorf (Derrel's twin). Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Aunt Jean Harris, Uncle Morris Kinghorn, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by many precious friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Derrel Edward Bailey, son Tracey Clay Bailey, nephews; Andrew Leptich and Micah Nelson and in-laws; Geri and John Taylor, Joyce and Tom Robison, William and Joan Bailey, Richard Grappendorf, and Joyce Nelson.

Our family would like to thank and pay tribute to the friends and caregivers who gave Kay special attention and loving support in her last years. She treasured every connection, and we so appreciate your love for her. First and foremost our eternal gratitude to Amy Bailey, who dedicated every minute of the last five years to caring tenderly for her mother. Amy brought joy and meaning to mom's life and unselfishly sacrificed so much of her life to lengthen moms. Special thanks to Kathy Hoggan, Deb and Harry Chessman, Calvin and Pegi Nelson, Trina, Joanna Scattergood, Colin and Marianne McKay, Pam and Brad Anderson, Rafael Ruiz and family, Nurse Rita and Nurse Jackie, our good neighbors in Pasco, and her faithful furry companion Wally.

A funeral will be held in her honor on Saturday November 23, 2024

Bellevue Washington L.D.S. Stake Center

14536 Main Street Bellevue, Washington 98007

9:30-10:15 Family Reception & Prayer

10:30-12:00 Funeral Service

Luncheon will follow

Kay will be buried next to Derrel at the Mount Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.